From Bystanders to Beacons: Embracing Suffering with Hope
Summary
In our series, "The Waymaker," we explore how Jesus, as the way, the truth, and the life, provides a path through every obstacle. Today, we focus on the perspective of being a bystander to suffering. Often, we address those in the midst of suffering, but what about those who witness it from the sidelines? Whether it's a classmate in a car accident or a coworker injured at home, we find ourselves grappling with questions and emotions as bystanders. In John 9, we see Jesus encounter a man blind from birth. His disciples question the cause of the man's blindness, seeking someone to blame. Jesus, however, redirects the focus from blame to the opportunity for God's works to be displayed.
This narrative challenges us to shift from asking "why" to asking "who." Instead of seeking blame, we should focus on God and His presence in the situation. Jesus teaches that suffering is not always a result of sin, and God's glory can be revealed even in the darkest circumstances. As bystanders, we are called to stop blaming and start working. This means actively seeking ways to reflect God's light through acts of compassion, presence, and prayer. Jesus emphasizes the urgency of this work, reminding us that our time is limited and we must act now.
In the midst of suffering, Jesus is the light of the world, providing direction and protection. We are called to reflect His light, pointing others to God through our actions. Jesus' unique healing of the blind man with mud and saliva illustrates that God works in diverse ways, often beyond our understanding. As we navigate our own questions and uncertainties, we are encouraged to trust in Jesus, who sees us, moves toward us, and offers His peace and presence. Whether we are suffering or witnessing it, we are reminded that Jesus is the way maker, bringing hope and healing in His own perfect way.
Key Takeaways:
1. Shift from Blame to Opportunity: When witnessing suffering, it's easy to seek someone to blame. However, Jesus teaches us to see these moments as opportunities for God's works to be displayed. Instead of asking "why," focus on "who" and how God can be revealed in the situation. [05:24]
2. God's Glory in Darkness: Suffering is not always a result of sin, and God's glory can be revealed even in the darkest circumstances. Jesus shows us that God's power can manifest in unexpected ways, offering hope and healing beyond our understanding. [08:24]
3. Stop Blaming, Start Working: As bystanders, we are called to stop blaming and start working. This involves actively seeking ways to reflect God's light through acts of compassion, presence, and prayer, pointing others to God in the midst of suffering. [11:06]
4. Urgency in Action: Jesus emphasizes the urgency of our actions, reminding us that our time is limited. We must act now, without waiting for perfect conditions, to carry out the tasks God has assigned us, reflecting His light in the world. [14:40]
5. Trust in Jesus, the Light of the World: In the midst of suffering, Jesus is the light of the world, providing direction and protection. We are called to trust in Him, knowing that He sees us, moves toward us, and offers His peace and presence, bringing hope and healing in His own perfect way. [20:10]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:00] - Introduction to The Waymaker Series
- [02:30] - Being a Bystander to Suffering
- [05:24] - The Disciples' Question and Jesus' Response
- [08:24] - God's Glory in Suffering
- [11:06] - Stop Blaming, Start Working
- [14:40] - Urgency in Action
- [18:09] - Hearing God's Voice
- [20:10] - Jesus, the Light of the World
- [22:46] - The Healing of the Blind Man
- [25:33] - Unique Ways God Works
- [27:43] - The Hope of Heaven
- [30:21] - Invitation to Follow Jesus
- [32:00] - Prayer and Celebration
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "The Waymaker"
Bible Reading:
- John 9:1-7
Observation Questions:
1. What question did the disciples ask Jesus about the blind man, and how did Jesus respond? [05:24]
2. How does Jesus' response to the disciples' question shift the focus from blame to opportunity? [08:24]
3. What actions did Jesus take to heal the blind man, and what was the result? [22:46]
Interpretation Questions:
1. Why do you think Jesus emphasized the need to shift from asking "why" to focusing on "who" in the context of suffering? [11:06]
2. How does Jesus' statement, "I am the light of the world," provide comfort and direction in times of suffering? [20:10]
3. What does it mean to "stop blaming and start working" as a bystander to suffering, according to the sermon? [14:40]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you were a bystander to someone else's suffering. How did you respond, and how might you respond differently now, focusing on God's presence rather than seeking blame? [11:06]
2. In what ways can you actively reflect God's light through acts of compassion, presence, and prayer in your community this week? [14:40]
3. Jesus emphasized the urgency of action. What is one specific task or act of kindness you feel prompted to do this week, and how will you ensure you follow through? [14:40]
4. Consider a situation where you have been asking "why" regarding suffering. How can you shift your focus to "who" and seek God's presence and purpose in that situation? [08:24]
5. Jesus used a unique method to heal the blind man. How can you remain open to God's diverse ways of working in your life, even when they are beyond your understanding? [25:33]
6. Identify a person in your life who is currently experiencing suffering. How can you be a source of light and support for them this week, reflecting Jesus' love and compassion? [18:09]
7. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in Jesus as the light of the world, especially when facing your own questions and uncertainties? [20:10]
Devotional
Day 1: From Blame to Divine Opportunity
In moments of witnessing suffering, the human tendency is to seek someone or something to blame. However, Jesus redirects this inclination by encouraging us to see these situations as opportunities for God's works to be displayed. In John 9, when the disciples question the cause of a man's blindness, Jesus shifts the focus from blame to the potential for God's glory to be revealed. This perspective invites us to move beyond the "why" and instead ask "who" can be glorified through the situation. By doing so, we open ourselves to the possibility of witnessing God's presence and power in unexpected ways. [05:24]
John 9:2-3 (ESV): "And his disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' Jesus answered, 'It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.'"
Reflection: Think of a situation where you have been quick to assign blame. How can you reframe this situation to see it as an opportunity for God's work to be displayed?
Day 2: God's Glory in the Midst of Darkness
Suffering is often perceived as a consequence of sin, yet Jesus teaches that it can also be a canvas for God's glory. In the story of the blind man, Jesus demonstrates that God's power can manifest in the darkest circumstances, offering hope and healing beyond human understanding. This challenges us to trust in God's ability to bring light into our darkest moments, revealing His glory in ways we might not anticipate. By embracing this perspective, we can find peace and assurance that God is at work, even when we cannot see it. [08:24]
2 Corinthians 4:6 (ESV): "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Recall a time when you experienced darkness in your life. How did you see God's glory revealed in that situation, or how might you look for it now?
Day 3: Active Compassion Over Passive Blame
As bystanders to suffering, we are called to move from a posture of blame to one of active compassion. Jesus urges us to stop blaming and start working, reflecting God's light through acts of kindness, presence, and prayer. This involves being intentional about how we respond to the suffering around us, choosing to be agents of God's love and hope. By doing so, we point others to God and His transformative power, becoming conduits of His grace in a hurting world. [11:06]
James 2:15-17 (ESV): "If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: Identify one practical way you can show compassion to someone in need today. How can you be a reflection of God's light in their life?
Day 4: The Urgency of Reflecting God's Light
Jesus emphasizes the urgency of our actions, reminding us that our time is limited. We are called to act now, without waiting for perfect conditions, to carry out the tasks God has assigned us. This urgency is not about rushing but about being intentional and proactive in reflecting God's light in the world. By recognizing the fleeting nature of time, we are motivated to seize every opportunity to make a difference, trusting that God will work through our efforts to bring about His purposes. [14:40]
Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV): "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel a sense of urgency to act? How can you take a step today to reflect God's light in that area?
Day 5: Trusting Jesus, the Light of the World
In the midst of suffering, Jesus is the light of the world, providing direction and protection. We are called to trust in Him, knowing that He sees us, moves toward us, and offers His peace and presence. This trust is not passive but active, inviting us to lean into Jesus' guidance and embrace His healing in our lives. By doing so, we find hope and assurance that He is working in and through us, bringing about His perfect will in His own time and way. [20:10]
Psalm 27:1 (ESV): "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust Jesus more fully as the light of the world? How can you actively lean into His guidance and presence today?
Quotes
"Here is a guy who has never seen beauty before in his life. He's never seen a beautiful sunrise. He's never seen the green grass of April. He's never seen a beautiful bald man before. Or, like you have the privilege this morning of, he's never seen any of this. He is 100% dependent on the charity of other people. There's no social security. There's no disability back then. He is probably sitting on a curb, maybe with a basket or a clay jar, and just hoping for the generosity of others to be able to sustain him, right? And Jesus sees him." [00:03:00] (40 seconds)
"Instead of seeing this man with the eyes of mercy, they see him as an object of theological curiosity. He was an unsolved riddle to them. Whose fault is he? And they want answers, right? And I find that sometimes when we're a bystander to suffering, sometimes we get stuck in this question of why. Maybe you've asked this question before. Maybe you're the one in the suffering and you asked this question, right? But I think sometimes when we're the bystanders of suffering, we just want why." [00:04:17] (35 seconds)
"Jesus goes on, and this seems out of place, because we've just had, you know, they see the blind man. Whose fault is it? Jesus says it's neither. And then what he says, he says, this happened so the power of God could be seen in him. Or I like other translations say something to the effect of, this happened so that the works of God might be displayed or might be revealed in him. That's interesting. That's kind of like a whole new category for us, right? That God wants to, God wants to display something good in and through this horrible situation." [00:06:40] (39 seconds)
"But even with all of this, God longs to manifest and display and reveal his glory in the midst of our brokenness, in the midst of a world that is filled with tribulation and trouble, in the midst of circumstances that maybe on this earth we will never be able to figure out and never understand. I think the issue becomes not why. And can I just tell you, when you're in the midst of suffering, this is a normal question to ask, right?" [00:09:24] (35 seconds)
"Points to God. One of the ways that God can be revealed in the midst of difficult, dark situations is to stop blaming. Stop blaming. I had a lady after service, and we talked about in the first service, we talked about, you know, that we blame God. Maybe we blame other people. Man, if he wouldn't have been in the car with those yahoos, man, that wouldn't have happened. Like, we're so easy at fixing blame, right? But I had a lady after the first service, she came up to me, and she says, you know who I'm constantly blaming? Myself." [00:10:54] (36 seconds)
"And I'm going to get to this word working, because that seems kind of like, what are you, what are you getting at there? But you notice what he's saying in the midst of, hey, this happens to the power of God could be revealed. We've got to quickly carry out the tasks assigned to us by the one who sent us. Listen, if you're a bystander to suffering, again, this isn't the person who is suffering. If I'm a bystander to suffering, first of all, get off the blame train and start asking the question, what can I do in the midst of this to bring glory to God?" [00:13:23] (30 seconds)
"Sometimes, can I tell you, start working. Sometimes that's even just being physically present with the person who's suffering. And I have found that that often includes just shutting my mouth. Practicing what so many scholars have talked about is the ministry of presence. Just being. I mean, that's part of working, right? Jesus said, he says, we must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. Who sent us? God. I'm saying, God, what do you want me to do in the midst of this situation?" [00:14:38] (33 seconds)
"Jesus is operating under the shadow of the coming cross, right? He knows that his time is limited, but he says that even to them. He's saying, listen, darkness is coming. Things are going to get foggy. It's going to get more confusing. So when you know what to do, just go ahead and do it now. Now, and this is especially important for us in a culture of good intentions, in a culture where we think we are doing something good just by liking a post or sharing a post." [00:15:08] (30 seconds)
"In the midst of suffering, in the midst of trouble, in the midst of difficulty, all of these things, here's the promise from Jesus. I am the light of the world. Some of you are still wondering about the blind guy. He's going to get to the blind guy, I promise, right? Like, all this theological discourse, can we just get to the blind guy? But he's helping his disciples to understand something. He's taking their question from the beginning, whose fault is this? And he's helping them, and in the process, he's helping us." [00:19:59] (27 seconds)
"Jesus says, I am the light of the world. Now, here's the really cool thing about this. In Matthew chapter 5, this would have been earlier in Jesus' ministry, Jesus had said something really important to his followers. He had actually said, this is in Matthew chapter 5, verse 14, he says, you are the light of the world. So here's how I understand this. Jesus is, all caps, the light of the world. Kind of like the Ohio State University, right?" [00:20:21] (32 seconds)
"And even with all the questions and all that, he just keeps moving toward you. And he is the light in the midst of the darkness that you face. And he has all power. And sometimes his power is manifest in a complete, instant healing. And sometimes his power is manifest in strength for the journey. In peace. In his presence. With the hope and the assurance that the best is yet to come. And that this life, and we make so much of this life, and we should. God puts us here for a reason. And we have a purpose. But can I tell you, there's something way better than this life." [00:26:15] (41 seconds)
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